Importance of Ethical Theory in Nursing - Case Study Example

      The paper analyzes applied legal parameters and ethical nursing implications of therapy with the selected pharmacotherapeutic agents. As discussed earlier in the class, drugs have been part of the human experience from the beginning. The paper also identifies the reason why ethical therapy is important in nursing and describes steps in the ethical decision-making model. The identification of the ethical principles involved in making an ethical decision and again the steps in an ethical decision-making model are also discussed in the paper. The drug has not currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Up to this point, there should be drug laws and restrictions governing the use of drugs. It is very useful when making ethical decisions to understand the different considerations that are involved with every individual.

Importance of Ethical Theory in Nursing

             Nursing ethics tend to be on the side of caring rather than curing.  In nursing theories, everything is focused on the virtues that make a good nurse. The theories can be applied by the nurses in different areas to make decisions in health care institutions. These ethical theories are applied between a nurse and a patient. It is the reality that nursing ethics emphasize the day-to-day ethics practiced other than the moral dilemmas. Nursing ethics help in giving care and support and in the relationship with the patients. This helps the people to make their informed consent on treatment (Lilley, Collins, Harrington & Snyder (2010). Ethical theory helps the nurses develop respect and dignity for people and their autonomous choices and to practice confidentiality whereby information is only shared with permission.

Steps in Ethical Decision-Making Model

            There are eight steps in the ethical decision–making model. They are found clearly in the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics as a guideline for protecting both nurse and patient. Step one is identifying the problem and considering if it is, in reality, ethical or not. It involves the perception of the situation whereby different people are involved in the discussion of the problem that is encountered (Lilley et al., 2010). The consideration of ideas is on the scientific experience and the quantity of the medical and nursing situation. The second step is problem identification. This analyzes what happened in the first step on the history of the patient in relation to the problem. Step three is the review and consideration of the ethical codes. This step helps in the value analysis by assessing the general ethical values. It helps to understand the conflicting values involved.

            Step four is to be familiar with the laws and regulations as well as that of the institution.  It basically stands a better chance of making a personal choice of letting people know about the fact of what you did, what is right or wrong about you, and how you would feel either guilty or ashamed? Step five is seeking consultation in determining the personal choices (Todd, 2010). Step six is a consideration of possible actions and reactions on the side of explaining moral arguments about one’s choice. It helps one to develop a hypothesis and reach a conclusion. Step seven is foreseeing the results of the actions on the options and contemplations on decision limited on the demand on the patient. A good consideration is the impact of every action taken regarding the values. The last step is on the decision action after carefully gathering information and facts and familiarizing oneself with the circumstances. It is involved in the final decision about the situational change on the patient, the things that should be improved, and evaluation of the decision for further discussion.

The reason why the nurse should continue getting the consent form signed is that she should not make an assumption about its meaning but should provide a clear education regarding the rationale for the drugs. Nurses respond to patients’ statements to question G is on the professional knowledge of the nurse which is by sharing the observations with the patient regarding the behavior rather than assuming she knows. The rationale for the response above is to assist the patient in recognizing the symptoms of increased anxiety and explore alternatives to prevent it from immobilizing him or her. The nurse’s best response to the last task statement is that she should acknowledge the patient's feelings and continue to express them about drugs until the communication is successful. The rationale for this statement is in the area of developing an outcome whereby the nurse should focus on the patient’s ability to recuperate. The nurse should not focus on the type of drug administered but the dosage pattern and patient's ability to recuperate, since it will not determine the patient’s ability to achieve the maximum level of wellness (Benjamin, 2010).

Pharmacotherapeutic agents are used in the treatment of illness, promotion, and restoration of wellness in diverse individuals across the lifespan.